Killings Not Targeted At Christians Only — Yoruba Council Clarifies

The Yoruba Council Worldwide (Igbimo Apapo Yoruba L’Agbaye) has clarified that the spate of gruesome killings across Nigeria over the last two decades is not exclusively targeted at Christians but has affected innocent citizens across all faiths.

The group made this known during a press conference at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife on Monday.

They sought the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, in facilitating a diplomatic engagement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over pressing national security and economic concerns.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, Aare Oladotun Hassan, Esq., expressed grave concern over the unending wave of violence and killings that continue to claim lives across Nigeria.

According to him, these atrocities should not be interpreted as attacks on Christians alone, but as acts of terrorism affecting Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other faiths alike.

“We clarify that the gruesome killings in Nigeria over the last two decades are not exclusively targeted at Christians, but have affected innocent Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other faiths alike.

“We condemn these killings in strong terms and insist that all perpetrators, financiers, and enablers of terrorism must be brought to justice without delay,” the statement read.

The Council also described the sustained insecurity in Nigeria as punitive measures against the Federal Government, while commending the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices in safeguarding national stability.

Calling for international cooperation, the Yoruba Council appealed to the United States of America to remove Nigeria from its list of “countries of security concern” and instead render assistance similar to what was provided to Ukraine during the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

“We appeal to the United States to remove Nigeria from the list of countries of security concern and instead mobilize systems similar to the assistance extended to Ukraine,” the group stated.

In a diplomatic overture, the Council further called on U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. government to extend goodwill and support to Nigeria’s current administration under President Tinubu, stressing the need for enhanced intelligence-sharing, technological collaboration, and logistical support between both nations.

“Nigeria’s gallant armed forces have, for decades, worked alongside the United States military on peacekeeping missions globally; such cooperation should be deepened to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security and foster global peace,” the Council added.

Yoruba Council Speaks on Dangote Refinery Crisis

The Yoruba Council also expressed serious concern over what they described as an ongoing campaign of sabotage against the Dangote Refinery, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene to protect the nation’s economic interests and industrial sovereignty.

The group alleged that certain individuals within the oil and gas sector including some union leaders and regulatory officials have conspired to frustrate the operations of the newly commissioned 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, a facility they hailed as Africa’s greatest industrial achievement.

They accused some key figures in unions such as PENGASSAN, NUPENG, IPMAN, and DAPPMA of working with oil import cabals and officials of the NNPCL and NMDPRA to undermine Dangote’s operations through deliberate disruptions and policy manipulations.

According to the Council, these acts of sabotage have not only cost the nation billions of naira but have also threatened Nigeria’s progress toward fuel self-sufficiency.

“We strongly condemn the directive issued by the Festus Osifo led PENGASSAN to shut down crude and gas supplies to the Dangote Refinery, an act that constitutes economic terrorism.

“Such malicious actions are direct attacks on national development and a betrayal of Nigeria’s renewed hope under President Tinubu,” the statement read.

The Yoruba Council further commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote for his resilience and patriotism, noting that despite over 22 reported sabotage attempts, the billionaire industrialist remains committed to national growth.

The group also applauded Dangote’s recent ₦2 trillion investment to procure 10,000 tanker trucks for the free distribution of petroleum products nationwide, describing it as a “bold gesture of love and service to Nigeria.”

In addition, the Council proposed that President Tinubu introduce a “Crude Exploration Nationalisation Policy Synergy Scheme” to guarantee a steady crude oil supply to the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries. It further advocated for the imposition of higher import tariffs up to 200% or an outright ban on imported petroleum products, to protect Nigeria’s domestic refining industry and ensure the sustainability of local investors.

To consolidate these efforts, the Council announced plans for a “Grand Solidarity and Thank You Rally” in honour of Dangote Group and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The rally, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, will feature participants dressed in white and jeans as symbols of peace, unity, and patriotism.